Nail Art Brushes - A Great Set of Tools for Painting Details on Rocks

It has been suggested to me that nail art brushes are wonderful when painting details on rocks. You know what? It makes sense! Fingernails are a tiny canvas, so it follows that brushes used for nail art would work on rocks too.

I purchased this inexpensive, 15-piece nail art brush set to give them a try.

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

There were other sets available but they shipped from China and I was willing to pay the extra shipping cost to have it originate in the U.S.

(I've been told that nail art brushes purchased on Ebay and shipped from China take approximately 10 days to receive and you're able to track the package (if it states the item is shipped via "epacket"). I have not verified this information for myself.)

Contents of My Nail Art Brush Set

• 3 Drawing Tools
• 7 Painting Tools
• 2 Liners
• 1 Dotting Tool
• 2 Fan brushes
• Plastic storage case

The Tests

I started off with this small rock for my first test of the brushes...

...and used a design from "The Chinese Brush Painting Bible" and 3 of the brushes - a liner, flat painter, and pointed drawing tool. I was quite happy with the results.

  

Design Painted with 3 Nail Art Brushes Only

For my second test, I used an even smaller rock...

 
...and chose another design from "The Chinese Brush Painting Bible." This time I used only 2 brushes - the flat painter and a longer drawing brush. Once again, I was quite pleased with the nail art brush results.

Design Painted with 2 Nail Art Brushes Only

Here's a side-by-side look at the two rocks I painted using only 4 of the nail art brushes.

Alternative Use for the Nail Art Dotting Tool

I already have several dotting tools and the one included in the set is quite tiny. Instead of dots, I use this tool to secure small rocks when they're being sealed. (In the past I would use toothpicks to hold the stone in place while I was sealing it.)

Dotting Tool Used to Secure Rock While Sealing

My Conclusion

Nail art brushes ARE a great tool for rock painting details. Even if I never use all the brushes in the set, the price is low enough to justify the purchase based on my results. And, you can never have enough brushes. Right? 

  
Videos - How to Use Nail Art Brushes

I found these two videos very helpful explaining how each nail art brush/tool can be used.

Click here to purchase this nail art brush set

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Tips for Beginners

Where to Find Rocks

For many of us, rocks are plentiful in our environment and free for the taking. If you have difficulty finding stones to paint, you can:

• Enlist the help of a friend  
• Purchase bags of stones
• 1 to 2" Caribbean Beach Pebbles
• 3 to 5" Caribbean Beach Pebbles
• Check out the Garden Department at local stores

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Stones purchased from Home Depot

I do not condone removing rocks from government lands or parks or a residence or business which has been landscaped with rocks. 


How to Prepare Rocks and Stones for Painting

You will need to clean and (in some cases) prime your rocks prior to painting. Read more about this tip.

Learn how to prepare stones for painting

 
How to Make Stones Stand Upright

If your rock is wobbly and you would like it to stand upright, read this tip for adding a base.

Learn how to add a base to stones

 
What Are the Best Brushes for Rock Painting?

You can use any brush to paint rocks (and I have many) but I keep returning to the same three brushes. Learn about my favorite brushes.

Learn about my favorite brushes

 
What Type of Paint is Best for Rocks and Stones?

Acrylic paint and craft acrylic both work well on rocks. The difference between them is the craft acrylic is thinner and more paint applications may be necessary. Learn about specialty paints you can also use on rocks.

Learn about specialty paints for rocks

 
Can I Use Sharpies on Painted Rocks?

Regular Sharpie markers smear and change color when a sealer is applied. Learn about paint pens suitable for rocks.

Learn more about these paint pens

How to Correct Mistakes on Painted Rocks

Learn how to fix a mistake while painting a rock and after it's finished (but before it's been sealed).

Learn how to fix mistakes on painted rocks

How to Seal and Protect Painted Rocks

Painted rocks beg to be picked up and admired and by applying a sealant, the colors remain true and the life of the painted rock is extended.  

• Learn about brush-on sealers
• Learn about spray-on sealers 

How to Display Painted Rocks - Store-Bought and DIY Solutions

You can display painted rocks by using wooden, metal and plastic display easels, a plate stand, or DIY stand made from drapery slip-on hooks. Learn how to make your own display stand and see other options here.  


Optional Household Items

• These inexpensive household items make rock painting easier and less messy
• DIY Paint Palettes

Can't Draw? No Problem
Create colorful painted stones with this no-draw technique.

Learn how to paint these stones - no drawing required

You  can trace a pattern onto a rock and paint it.

Learn how to trace a pattern onto a rock

 
Where to Find Rock Painting Ideas

• Tutorials
• Free Lessons
• Rock Art!: Painting and Crafting with the Humble Pebble
• Lin Wellford Rock Painting Books

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Favorite Tools and Supplies

I use these tools and supplies regularly to paint rocks and recommend them. (I may receive a commission for the purchase of products when you click on certain links in this post.)

• Caribbean Beach Pebbles - I love painting on these semi-smooth, white stones
• Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso - Primes my pitted stones
• Nail Art Brush Set - These are great for getting paint into the tight spaces of my design(s)
• Royal & Langnickel Script Liner Brush - My go-to brush for painting thin lines and detailing
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pen - I use the 08 size for writing on stones
• Posca Paint Pens - The best markers for painted rocks
• Embossing-Stylus Set - For tracing a design onto a rock with graphite transfer paper and also used as dotting tools
• Paint Eraser - A handy tool for wiping away mistakes while the paint is still wet
• E6000 Glue - Attaches stones together
• Americana DuraClear Satin Varnish - My favorite brush-on sealer
• Pink Soap - Conditions my brushes to extend their life

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

3 of My Favorite Rock Painting Brushes

What are the best brushes for rock painting?

You can use any brush to paint rocks (and I have many) but I keep returning to the same three brushes - stencil, script liner and flat - for most of my painted rocks.

For me, it's the shape which makes these brushes my favorites and not the brand or material. (You're better off not spending a lot of money on rock painting brushes because the rough surface of the rocks wears away the bristles.)

Script Liner Brush

Good for:

• Outlining
• Detailing
• Fur strokes

For many years, I used short-bristled liner brushes. Brushes with the longer bristles (script liners) just didn't make sense to me...until I used one. The longer bristles of this script liner brush enable me to pull the paint stroke further for better outlining, detailing and fur strokes.

Flat Brush

Works well for:

• Filling in large areas
• Washing/tinting
• Brush-on sealing

I use both small and large flat brushes depending on the area I want to fill or tint and the size of the rock I'm painting or sealing. The flat shape allows me to work around my sketch lines as well as fill large areas.

Stencil Brush

Used for:

• Dry brushing
• Blending
• Shading
• Dappling/stippling

I use both small and large stencil brushes depending on the area I want to shade or dapple and the size of the rock I'm painting. 

  * * * * *

Here's how I used a flat, stencil, and script liner brush to paint rockin' rolls.

As you paint rocks, you'll discover the subjects you enjoy painting, your personal style, and the brushes which work best for creating your masterpiece.


Helpful Resources
Brushes Tutorial
Before You Purchase a Brush
Paintbrush Guide
How to Care for Paintbrushes
How to Clean Paintbrushes



© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks